The Science of Diagnosing Concussions

Are we reaching a proverbial tipping point on the subject of head injuries in minor sports? Callum Darby, of the Hamilton Reps Hockey Club, remembers a lot about his short hockey career. There’s one thing this 14 year old can’t recall: getting a concussion.

More and more evidence is surfacing linking repeated concussions to a degenerative brain disease called chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which causes memory problems, emotional issues, depression, problems with impulse control and may lead to dementia.

Some sports clients like NFL teams, NHL teams and minor sports teams are currently using a system called ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) and it’s a scientifically validated computerized concussion evaluation system.

• One recent study showed less than 50 per cent of sports-related head injuries are actually reported
• ImPact test should also help prevent players from suffering a second concussion when they are most vulnerable.
• 80 to 90 per cent of concussions, players return to action in seven to 10 days and it is the 10% of those that don’t get treated appropriately, are at high risk

Give your head a shake as you owe it to yourself to find out more about concussion testing with John Chedade of ImPACT Test Canada LIVE at BEYONDtheCheers on Wednesday May 18th at 7PM EST. Dial-in TOLL FREE 1-877-357-2448 in Canada and United States. Please join us and be part of the conversation.